Panel board and panel-board construction



H. F. STARRETT.

PANEL BOARD AND PANEL BOARD cousmucnou.

APPLICATION FILE-D MAY I5. 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Patented May 2, 1922.

HQF. STARRETT.

PANEL BOARD AND PANEL BOARD CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED MAY I51 I9l 8- Z 2 9 2 1 u 2 I s m wk r L Ni NR N d m 1% I: e 2 m \I m% M \%N NO P MN Q h k MOON H NN Q \VN h h a) MOW MUN n I I I 7 J .7 W N \N H. L T 6 h .O \NN h M Q [I b 4 1 cumin STATES PATENT OFFICE.

v HENRY I. STARRETT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO STARRETT MANUFAC- TURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

PANEL BOARD AND PANEL-BOARD CONSTRUCTION.

' Application filed May 15,

' To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY F. STARRETT, a citizen of the United States," residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, havev invented new and useful Improvements in Panel Boards and Panel- Board Construction, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in panel-boards and panel-board construction, and, moreparticularly, to a panel-board unit provided with an improved means for covering or enclosing the wire gutter.

In the specific embodiment ofmy invention as herein illustrated and described it has been incorpoi'ated ina form of panelboard more especially adapted to be used in the wiring of houses or residences, but obvi-- ously it is also useful and can be readily 1ncorporated or used in any and all panel structures in which a wire gutter is utilized.

As is well known by those skilled in the art, according to the Underwriters requirements, in all panel-board structures in which more than four circuits are wired, the branch circuits must be brought in either opposite the branch line terminals or, as an alternative if this is notdesirable, a'concealed wire gutter must be provided. This wire gutter is usually constructed by building a frame around the outer edge of the panel-board base which carries the circuit-controlling equipment. This frame may be made either of an insulating material, or of metal, in which latter case the holes perforated in this frame through which the circuit wires-are carried must be insulated by suitable bushings or fitted with eyelets so as to present a smooth surface to prevent injury to the conductor insulation. Due to this extra wire gutter construction, panel-boards equipped with such a wire gutter are more expensive than the panel-board units in which the branch circuit wires are brought in opposite the fuse terminals. 7

One of the objects of my invention is to improve the construction of panel-board units fitted with 'wire gutters,'whereby the cost thereof will be materially reduced. Another object resides in the production of an Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 2, 1922. 1918. Serial n. 234,588.

improved covering for the wire gutter, said cover serving the double purpose, first, of obscuring from view the wires in the wire gutter, and, second, constituting a suitable barrier through which the wires may be fed to the circuit-controlling apparatus mounted on the panel-board proper. A further object resides in the production of an improved cover for the wiring gutter, whereby the depth of the panel-box in a panel-board unit provided with a back wiring space can be materlally decreased, the increased shallowness ofthe box being desirable in view of the fact that it reduces the volume occupied by the panel-box.

4 A further feature of the said cover-plate for the wiring gutter resides in an advantageous construction which provides a very simplified and elhoient means for removing and placing said cover-plate in the box, and with which no bushings or eyelets are required to insulate the apertures through which the wires are led from the wire gutter to the terminals of the circuit-controlling apparatus mounted on the panel base.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the followingdescription and. will be more specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

For the purpose of disclosing my invention, I have illustrated one embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation of a panelboard and cabinet embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 4 is a detail perspective view of one corner of the enclosing cabinet.

In the structure illustrated I provide an enclosing box or cabinet preferably formed of sheet metal and having the sides 1 and ends 2 bent up from a bottom 3. The sides and ends are flanged at their ends at 4 and secured to this flange is a mat 5 on which is hinged a door or cover 6 provided with a suitable latch or catch 7. Within the cabinet is mounted a panel-board comprising in the structure illustrated two units, 8 and 9, but

obviously any type ofpanel board structure could be used. The unit 8 comprises a suitable insulating base in which the bus-bars of the panel-board are concealed and mounted, and on this in ulating base is mounted a plurality of pairs of branch circuit fuse receptacles 10, one pair of fuse receptatcles being provided for each branch circuit. One of the terminals of each fuse receptacle of each pair 10 is connected to bus-bars common to the panel and of opposite polarity,

and the other terminal of each receptacle of each pair is provided with extensions having binding-posts 11 to which the branch circuit conductors 12 are adapted to be connected.

The unit 9 comprises an insulating base on which are mounted main fuse receptacles 14 each having one terminal thereof connected with a binding-post such as 15 and the opposite terminal thereof connected with one of the contacts of a suitable main line switch 16. In the structure illustrated there is provided what is known as a three-wire board so that three mainline terminals or binding posts 15 are provided, but obviously the construction herein illustrated could be readily used with a two-wire board. The end of the unit 9 opposite the terminal end is provided with binding-post terminals 17, and one end of the unit 8 is likewise provided with binding-post terminals 19. Connected to these terminals are the conductors 20 of a suitable meter 20. These terminals 17 and 19 are covered or enclosed, after the connections have been made, by a suitable insulating housing 21.

The panel-board comprising the units 8 and 9 is spaced apart from the bottom of the cabinet and mounted upon a pair of longitudinally extending arch brackets 22 the downturned legs 23 of which are provided with securing lugs 24 by which the brackets are secured to the bottom 3 of the cabinet.

The insulating bases of the units 8 and 9 are secured to these brackets by suitable screws 24 passing therethrough and into the brackets.

Secured to each of the brackets 22 by means of a nut 22 is a bolt 22 which serves to position and hold the insulating housing 21 in place by means of the thumb nuts 22. Formed integral with the insulating housing 21 are the insulating sleeves 22, which function to properly position the insulating housing 21 over the exposed end terminals of the panel units 8 and 9. The bolts 22 are perforated at their upper ends to receive a sealing wire 22 which together with the seal 22 prevents removal of the insulating. housing 21 to permit access to the exposed terminals of the units 8 and 9 without breaking the seal.

This construction, therefore, provides a very simple and efficient means for sealing the exposed terminals against tampering by individuals not authorized to change or interfere with the connections of the panel.

Since themeter connections are connected to the consumption circuit at this point, it is obvious that some provision of this kind must be provided to prevent unscrupulous persons from interfering with or changing the meter connections for the purpose of robbing the power-supply company.

About midway of the panel-board and at one end of the unit 8 is mounted an additional supporting bracket 25 which extends transversely of the board and is of the same general construction as are the brackets 22. This bracket is used to strengthen the panel and the number of these brackets used will consequently increase as the length of the panel-board increases. The distributing conductors and main conductors, as well as the meter loops are brought in the box or cabinet through suitable openings provided in the sides or ends of the cabinet. The specific structure illustrated in the drawings is designed primarily for a house or residence unit. Panel-boards used for this purpose are usually positioned in the basement and the conduits carrying the electrical conductors from the various parts of the house or residence are collected and grouped together at the place Wherethe panel-board is to be, mounted, extending downwardly toward the panel-board from the basement ceiling. Consequently, in the structure illustrated in the drawings, the conductors are all brought in on the top side of the cabinet and the conduits 26, which serve to carry the different conductors, are secured at their ends to the openings in the sides of the box panel cabinet. As the panel-board is spaced apart from the bottom of the cabinet, as clearly indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, ample space is provided between the bottom of the cabinet and the bottom of the panelboard for wiring the conductors from one side of the panel-board underneath the panel-board, to the various binding-posts on the other side of the panel-board.

The method of wring these circuits underneath the panel-board between the bottom of the board and the cabinet is clearly illustrated in Fig. 1.

The length and breadth of the panelboard unit is considerably less than th same dimensions of the inside of the cabinet, and consequently space is provided on each side and at the ends of the panel-board for grouping the wires in the wiring of the panel, thus providing what is konwn in the art as a wiring gutter.

In the installation of-a panel-board of this type, the power-feeding or main conductors 26 are first secured to their respective binding-posts or terminals 15 and the meter loop conductors connected to their respective terminals, and the branch or consumption circuit conductors secured to thebinding-posts or terminals 11 associated with each pair 10 of fuse receptacles.

When all the circuits have been thus connected to their respective terminals, the inthis is very rapidly and efficiently accomplished, by two obtuse angled side coverplates 27 and two end cover-plates 31. The two side cover-plates 27 fill the space between the edge of the panel and the sides of the panel-box and are provided with a fiat bottom portion 28 and an upwardly-extending side portion 29. These cover-plates are given this shape so that the bottom of the cover-plate may rest near the bottom of the panel-board, and so that the outer edge thereof is sufficiently raised to clear and not interfere with the top of the conduit openings in the cabinet. These side-plates are provided at regular intervals and opposite the distributing conductor binding-posts on the panel-boards,- with notches 30, which permit the passage of the ends of the branch or consumption circuit conductors therethrough, so that they may be suitably secured to the binding-posts 11.

The two end cover-plates 31 are substantially Z shaped in cross section and are mounted and secured on and to the brackets 22, these brackets being extended beyond the panel-board for this purpose. These end cover-plates may likewise be provided, if

desired, with notches, such as 32,v for the passage therethrough of the common power or feed conductors. The end cover-plates 31 are secured to the brackets 22 by means of screws 31 and the side cover-plates 27 are supported by the end cover-plates 31 and are secured to said cover-plates by means of four screws, such as 33. a

It will be evident from the foregoing description that in effect the endand side cover-plates provide a frame fitting around the panel-board and which covers the wiring gutter. This frame obscures all the rough wiring beneath the panel-board, thereby giving the panel unit a pleasing appearance and at the same time the frame is readily and rapidly removable from the cabinet, this being accomplished by simply removing the four screws 31' which secure the two end cover-plates in position. If desired,

either one of the side-plates may be removed independently of the end cover-plates by removing the screws 33'which secure them to the end cover-plates.

The entire structure is so arranged that ready access may be had to the panel-board and to the wiring space provided in the box, whereby the panels may be quickly and easily wired, after which the various conductors used for this purpose are covered and sealed by a very simple, readily-insertable frame or cover. With a covering of this type the notches cut into the side and end cover-plates do not tend to rub or bear against the insulation of the wires connected to the terminals of the panel board, and, consequently, it is not necessary, with a construction of this kind, to either use eyelets or to insulate these notches. Ordinarily, when wire is fed through a barrier, a comparatively long end of wire is threaded through the opening cut in the barrier, and there is consequently a possibility, in fact a rather strong probability, that, when the wire is pulled through the opening in the barrier the insulation on the wire .will rub and bear against the edge of said opening. Likewise, every time the wire is handled there is the same probability of contact between the wire and the edge of the opening, and a consequent abrasion of the insulation. It is consequently standard practice, required by the Underwriters, to either fit these openings with eyelets or insulate them with uitable bushings.

With the construction herein illustrated and described, the wires are first connected to the terminal of the fuse receptacles 10, and the wire is then laid down over the edge of the panel-board in substantiall the same vertical plane in which the sai terminal lies. After all the wires have been connected to the terminals of. the apparatus mounted on the panel board, the side coverplates 27 and the end cover-plates 31 are placed in position, and as the notches in said cover-plates are in alignment and lie the terminals of the apparatus mounted on.

the panel-board, and as said notches are considerably larger than the wires connected to said terminals, there is absolutely no tendency whatsoever for the wire to rub against, scrape, or bear against the side edges of the notches, and, hence, there is no tendency to injure the insulation of said wires. The necessity for insulating these notches or fitting them with eyelets is thus eliminated.

It will, consequently, be evident that with this type of construction a panel-board unit is obtained in which the cover-plates for the wiring gutter also function as a barrier, said barrier having slots which maybe positioned around the wires that are connected to the terminals of the panel-board unit, and this double function is obtained by a means which is very cheap in first cost, and very easily and cheaply installed.

Obviously, the invention is not limited to the preferred form thereof which is herein illustrated and described, but is capable of many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the gutter, a cover-frame for said wiring gutter invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure as Letters Patent is 2- 1. A panel-board and panel-box construc tion comprising a panel-box and a panelboard mounted therein and spaced apart from the sides and ends ofthe box forming a wiring gutter, a gutter-covering frame surrounding and snugly fitting around said panel-board and covering said wiring gutter, the said frame having notches cut therein which permit the passage of Wires therethrough, whereby said frame serves as a cover-plate for said gutter and as a barrier through which said wires are fed to the panel-board.

2. A panel-board and panel-box construction comprising a panel-box and a panelboard mounted in said box and spaced apart from the bottom of said box forming a wiring space between the back of the board and the bottom of the box, said panel-board being of smaller dimensions than the box, a frame surrounding the board and filling the space between the ed es of the panel board and the sides and en s of said box, the said frame having notches to permit the passage of wires therethrough, whereby said frame serves as a cover-plate for said wiring space and as a barrier through which said wires are fed to the panel-board.

3. A panel-board and panel-box construction comprising a panel-box having openings I to receive conduits, a panel-board mounted in said box and spaced apart from the bot tom of said box to form a wiring space between the back of the board and the bottom of the box,'the said sides and ends of the panel-board forming a wiring gutter, a wiring gutter covering frame removably mounted in said box, having part of its surface above and part of its surface below the openings in the box, and filling the space between the edges of the panel-board and the sides of the box.

4. A panel-board and panel-box construction comprising, in combination, a panelbox, a panel-board mounted therein and spaced apart from the bottom of said box, said box having conduit openings, said panel-board being surrounded by a wiring having its inner edges abutting against the edges of the panel-board and below said opening, and its outer edges against the. sides of said box and above said opening, said frame being removable from the box independently of the panel-board.

5. A panel-board and panel-box construction comprising, in combination, a panelbox, a panel-board mounted therein, said box having conduit openings, said panelboard being surrounded by a wiring gutter, a cover-plate for said wiring gutter having its inner edges abutting against the edges of the panel-board and below said opening, and its outer edges against the sides of said box and above said opening.

6. A panel-board and panel-box construction comprising, in combination, a panelbox, arch brackets mounted in said panelbox, a panel-board mounted on said arch brackets and thereby spaced apart from the bottom of the box, the sides and ends of the box and the edges of the panel-board forming a wiring gutter around said panelboard, and a cover-frame for said wiring gutter surrounding said panel-board and removably mounted upon said arch brackets.

7. A panel-board and panel-box construction com rising, in combination, a panel-box,

a paneloard mounted therein,said panelboard being surrounded by a wiring gutter, said panel-box having conduit openings, a 35 cover for said gutter so formed and positioned that the edges thereof adjacent said panel-board rest in a horizontal plane below the upper surface of said condult openings, and t e opposite edges thereof rest in a plane above the upper surface of said conduit openings.

8. A panel-board and panel-box construction comprising, in combination, a panelbox, a panel-board mounted therein, said panel-board being surrounded by a wiring gutter, said panel-box having conduit openings, a cover for said gutter having one longitudinal edge thereof below and the other longitudinal edge thereof above said conduit openings, whereby the depth of the panelbox is reduced.

9. A panel-board and panel-box construction comprising, in combination, a panelbox, a panel-board mounted therein, said panel-board being surrounded by a wiring space, a cover for said gutter completely closing the space between said panel-box and said panel-board, said panel-box having conduit openings and said cover having notches 11 formed therein to permit the passage of wires therethrough, said wires being laid over the edge of said panel-board to connect them to the apparatus on said panelboard.

10. A panel-board and panel-box construction-comprising, in combination, a panelbox, mounting brackets positioned in said panel-box, a panel-board mounted on said brackets, the said sides and ends of the box 120 and the edges of the panel-board forming a wiring gutter around the said panel-board,

a covering for the ends of said gutter, means to secure said covering to said mounting brackets, a covering for the sides of said 125 gutter, and means to secure said side cover- -1ng to said end cover.

11. A panel-board and panel-box construction comprising, in combination, a panelbox, a panel-board mounted therein, said 1 0 panel-board being surrounded by a wiring gutter, cover-plates having a substantially Z-shaped section for the end troughs of said gutter, of a length substantially equal to the inner width of said box, and obtuse-angled cover-plates for the side troughs of said gutter, fitted between said end-plates.

12. A panel-board and panel-box construction comprising, in combination, a panelbox, a panel-board mounted therein, said panel-board being surrounded by a Wiring gutter, cover-plates having a substantially Z-shaped section for the end troughs of said gutter, of a length substantially equal to the inner width of said box, means to removably secure said plates over said end troughs, obtuse-angled cover-plates for the side troughs of said gutters, fitted between said end-plates, and means to removably secure said obtuse-angled cover-plates to said 2- shaped cover-plates.

13. A panel-board and panel-box construction comprising, in combination, a panelbox, a panel-board mounted therein, apparatus mounted on said panel-board, said panel-board being surrounded by a wiring gutter, cover-plates having a substantially Z-shaped section for the end troughs of said gutter, of: a length substantially equal to the inner width of said box, means to removably secure said plates in position over said gutter, obtuse-angled cover-plates for the side troughs of said gutter, fitted between said end-plates, means to removabl'y secure said obtuse-angled cover-plates to said end-plates, notches formed in the aforesaid plates, whereby wires may be led from said wiring gutter through said notches over the edge of the panel-board and to the apparatus mounted thereon.

14. A panel-board and panel-box construction comprising in combination, a panel-box, mounting brackets positioned in said'panelbox, a panel-board mounted on said brackets, the said sides and ends of the box and the edges of said panel-board forming a wirin gutter which surrounds said panel-boar cover-plates having a substantially Z-shaped section for the end troughs of said gutter and of a length substantially equal to the inner width of said box, means to secure said plates to said mounting brackets, obtuse-angled cover-plates for the side troughs of said gutter, fitted between said end-plates, and means for securing said obtuse-angled cover plates to said end-plates, the aforesaid plates forming a frame for completely enclosing said wiring gutter.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

HENRY F STARRETT. 

